A young patient overcomes breast cancer during a global pandemic with innovative treatments and the support of Mount Sinai’s compassionate care team.
In 2020, Mount Sinai patient, Aleksandra, was diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer, a challenge that came at an already uncertain time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the owner of graphic design company in Miami, she knew she had to make her health a priority and embarked on a journey to find the best treatment and hospitals in the area. Her search led her to Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she felt reassured and confident with the care she would receive.
Before her diagnosis, Aleksandra had originally discovered a lump in her breast by chance and assumed it was nothing serious. But after a biopsy, the diagnosis became clear—her cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, and her oncologist, Dr. Oleg Gligich, a board-certified physician at Mount Sinai’s Division of Hematology/Oncology, classified it as stage III due to the size and lymph node involvement. While no one wants to hear such a diagnosis, especially during a global pandemic, Aleksandra recalls finding comfort in her care team at Mount Sinai. “All of the Mount Sinai staff was great, especially Dr. Gligich,” she recalls. “When COVID hit, there was a lot of uncertainty, but one thing I was sure of was Dr. Gligich and Mount Sinai—I was in good hands.”
Originally from Latvia, Aleksandra spent most of her time between her home country and Miami. The need for cancer treatment, however, solidified her decision to move full time so South Florida. As a younger patient in her 30s, Aleksandra appreciated how her doctors took her long-term health into consideration when creating her treatment plan, hoping for a life expectancy far beyond her diagnosis.
“Her story is unique given her age and unfortunate large extent of her cancer,” Dr. Gligich said. “Given how aggressive her cancer was, we know that chemotherapy and endocrine therapy may not be enough to prevent her recurrence.”
Her treatment included three types of chemotherapy, during which she tried using a cold cap to prevent hair loss. However, with the second round of chemo, she eventually lost her hair. After chemotherapy, Aleksandra underwent surgery, including a bilateral mastectomy and lymph node removal, followed by radiation therapy. “Dr. Gligich was very positive all the time. He was very optimistic and supportive. He was really confident in what he was doing, which also made me confident,” she shared.
In addition to her standard treatments, Aleksandra was the first patient at Mount Sinai to take a targeted oral therapy that works to stop the growth of cancer cells. “Thankfully, with serendipity, new data was emerging for a drug given after chemotherapy with endocrine therapy. The drug was called Verzenio (Abemaciclib), which blocks cancer cell division,” Dr. Gligich explained.
Fortunately, she experienced no side effects and continues to see Dr. Gligich for follow-ups every three months. “I feel great, I feel like nothing happened to me. Only when I see my scars I’m reminded that I’m a survivor. But my life is back to normal.”
Despite the additional challenges of undergoing treatment during the pandemic, Aleksandra used her time in isolation to rethink her business strategy. “My immune system was weaker because of the treatments, so I had to be very isolated. But that gave me time to come up with new ideas, and I’ve developed a new area of my business that I’m really excited about.”
Her advice for others going through a similar experience? “Your mindset is very important. Trust your doctor, trust the process, and keep a positive attitude. With the treatments available today, you can overcome this disease and get back to your normal life.”